‘This to Him Is the Grand Finale’: Donald Trump's 50-Year Mission to Discredit the Justice System  —  The former president is in unparalleled legal peril, but he has mastered the ability to grind down the legal system to his advantage.  It's already changing our democracy.

Elise Stefanik's Ugly “Hostages” Barb Points to Serious GOP Mayhem Ahead  —  GOP Representative Elise Stefanik no doubt thought it was shrewd to describe the rioters who attacked the Capitol as “January 6 hostages.”  This sort of talk hits a sweet trifecta for a GOP leader with seemingly limitless ambition.

Dean Phillips: I'm Being Blackballed — and It's Joe Biden's Fault  —  What the Minnesota Rep's unsurprising media struggles say about our news ecosystem.  —  “I'm appalled,” fumes U.S. Rep. and presidential hopeful Dean Phillips.  “I'm disappointed.  I'm disgusted that professionals …

US, British militaries launch massive retaliatory strike against Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen  —  The U.S. and British militaries bombed more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen on Thursday, in a massive retaliatory strike using warship- and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles …

Statement from President Joe Biden on Early Student Debt Cancellation for Borrowers Enrolled in SAVE  —  From Day One of my Administration, I vowed to fix the student loan system and make sure higher education is a pathway to the middle class - not a barrier to opportunity.

2024 Republicans worry that subzero temperatures could scramble caucus turnout  —  The 2024 Republican presidential contenders are growing increasingly concerned about the dangerously frigid weather that Iowans will be confronted with when they head to the polls on caucus day …

Why Platformer is leaving Substack  —  After much consideration, we have decided to move Platformer off of Substack.  Over the next few days, the publication will migrate to a new website powered by the nonprofit, open-source publishing platform Ghost.  If you already subscribe to Platformer …

Don't Turn Away From the Charges of Genocide Against Israel  —  With the question of whether Israel is committing genocide in Gaza now before the International Court of Justice, the Biden administration has struck a tone of glib dismissal.  —  “Meritless” seems to be the agreed-upon term among U.S. officials.

Johnson confronts biggest test yet: Whether to walk away from his own funding deal  —  Conservatives are pushing him to renege.  Most of the rest of his party wants him to stand firm.  Whichever path he chooses carries real risks.  —  Speaker Mike Johnson's grip on his fractious conference slipped …

The AMA wants a Medicare cut reversed - and lawmakers to stay out of care  —  Good morning.  I'm Julie Rovner, chief Washington correspondent at KFF Health News and host of its weekly news podcast, “What the Health?”  Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts, and send tips to JulieR@kff.org.

Joe Biden Called David Axelrod a ‘Prick.’ It Won't Shut Him Up.  —  A Q&A with the former Obama strategist who's not afraid to critique the Biden campaign.  —  David Axelrod recently got a gift in the mail.  —  It was a box of political pins that captured the unique role …